"The Los Angeles Kings' 2025-26 season is shaping up to be run-of-the-mill. The team has amassed 39 points in 34 games played. While the number doesn't seem too shabby three months in, the Kings could use plenty of improvement in certain areas. Their messy style of play consists of mistakes that cost the team games they should be winning. Additionally, they could use more chemistry and grittiness in their forward group. Let's take a deeper look at where they have struggled this season."
"The Kings' strategies suffer early in games due to their constant trips to the penalty box. Adrian Kempe leads the team in penalty minutes with a total of 28, followed by Corey Perry at 25. These early penalties in games disrupt flow, and they have proven costly. Time spent killing penalties prevents the Kings from building offensive momentum. As a result, the Kings often find themselves chasing games instead of setting the tone."
"Another issue the Kings struggle with is inconsistent scoring. While they generate chances, they struggle to convert those opportunities into goals at a steady rate. Missed chances have kept opposing teams within reach, whether through overpassing or rushed shots. Kempe leads the team with 13 goals, highlighting both his importance and the need for broader scoring support. Improving puck control, net-front presence, and offensive-zone time would help Los Angeles turn quality chances into the results they're aiming for."
"One of the biggest challenges for the Kings is preparing for the transition out of the Kopitar era. While four months remain until the regular season ends, the Kings are notably still searching for a reliable on-ice presence to help fill in the gaps after captain Anže Kopitar announced his retirement in the preseason. While Kopitar remains a reliable presence, the organization is reaching a point where leadership responsibilities will need to be passed on and shared"
The Los Angeles Kings have 39 points in 34 games and display a messy style that produces costly mistakes. Early penalties, led by Adrian Kempe (28 PIM) and Corey Perry (25 PIM), disrupt flow and force the team to kill time instead of building offense. Scoring is inconsistent despite generating chances; Kempe has 13 goals but broader offensive support is lacking. Missed opportunities result from overpassing and rushed shots. The organization must also prepare for post-Kopitar leadership, as the team searches for reliable on-ice presence and shared leadership responsibilities moving forward.
Read at The Hockey Writers
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